As they saw the affectionate and harmonious demeanor between the two, the young women watching experienced a mix of emotions. Some were happy for the new couple, some were disgusted by such displays, some were envious, and some were saddened.

    “Brother, you've just met your wife and she has already captured your heart?”

    “It’s not about how long we’ve known each other. Because she is my wife, I must love her greatly.” Mu Heng confidently replied.

    He didn't elaborate on how every minute his feelings for her grew because of her loveliness, merely stating that she was his wife and thus he must love her as an answer to the question.

    Of course, his answer was partly because he was too shy to admit that he loved her as a husband, which would have been more embarrassing.

    “Is it just because she is your wife?” the woman pressed on.

    Yueqian raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing the woman next to Aunt Liao with a discerning gaze. Clearly, Aunt Liao noticed Yueqian's look and, not wanting any more issues, calmly cautioned her niece.

    “Yu’er, don’t tease your Brother Heng. He’s already shy enough,” Aunt Liao pretended as if the two were close.

    She ignored her niece's tears from the day before the wedding when she ran to the young man's house begging him to cancel the marriage, as if her niece saw him as nothing more than a brother.

    "............." Yu’er seemed to have much more to say,

    Nevertheless, in front of Aunt Liao, she dared not say anything that might provoke criticism. After all, Aunt Liao was loud and blunt, often speaking without a filter, and not everyone was pleased with her. If it weren’t for the fact that working with Aunt Liao, transporting goods to the market, provided a good income, she wouldn't want to have much to do with her mother's older sister.

    Mu Heng didn't even glance at her after Aunt Liao had interrupted. He just looked at his wife, who had to endure the shaky ride in the cart, though a lady of her stature should be sitting in a carriage with soft cushions. He planned to make such a cushion for her next journey.

    Let others think he was too indulgent; she had to endure hardship with him because of his own selfishness.

    After that, several hours passed, and they finally reached the city boundary.

    Two soldiers checked the goods before allowing them in. They glanced at each other upon seeing Yueqian's chest of money but what could they do?

    Traders from other regions often came with substantial sums. The surprise was only because the money came from a remote village. Seeing Yueqian, they presumed she must be a lady from a prominent family and did not obstruct her for fear of trouble.

    The couple spent half a day dealing with officials, spending 3,000 gold taels and obtaining many land deeds. They only brought back copies stamped with official seals, leaving the originals with the authorities for safety.

    They now owned 7 stores, bought directly from the government. These businesses were in poor shape, earning nothing. The previous owner had tried to sell them for a profit but failed, ending up with the government seizing them due to overwhelming debt.

    All 7 locations had already been closed, but the items inside remained intact, ready for new business.

    Yueqian chose these 7 adjoining properties. Although they were in a remote area, customers would not reach, their proximity to each other made them suitable, and they were not very expensive, costing only 1750 gold taels.

    With the remaining money, she bought several thousand mu of agricultural land in the villages. The substantial amount of money they were spending forced the district chief to inspect personally. They contribute a substantial amount to the government, they indeed gained special privileges.

    Afterward, Yueqian went to the stores she had purchased. The space she acquired was like blocking off an entire street, located on the outskirts of town and far from any significant landmarks. Opposite was an educational institution and entertainment venues bustling with intoxicants and even a red-light district, which was particularly lively.

    Initially, Mu Heng disagreed with buying such seemingly hopeless properties, but Yueqian was indifferent. She wasn't concerned about the money at that time; if the properties couldn't be used immediately, there was no rush to utilize them. They could just be left as they were, becoming an inheritance for future generations.

    Moreover…, she had her own goals.

    The place she could accommodate people from the Art Institute must be these 7 buildings. Perhaps, seeing the potential, they might want to establish entertainment venues to compete with those across the street.

    Unlike the other side's entertainment focused on indulging desires, the Art Institute's approach was transparent, offering performances, games, art viewing, and poetry sessions, followed by drinking sessions.

    Such venues were highly popular in the capital. The intellectuals were too embarrassed to admit they frequented entertainment houses, so the Art Institute provided a place where they could relax without compromising their dignity after intensive studies.

    For them, just the rental land was already generating a vast income. However, it was still necessary to coordinate with village leaders to spread the word.

    Yueqian decided to ask for the village leaders' help, sure that they would also get a two-part share. In reality, they didn't need to pass through them or give compensation; it was their duty to support the villagers in gaining income and land for cultivation.

    After handling the main tasks, the young woman contacted someone about to enter the capital to send news. Mu Heng didn't think much about it, believing she wanted to inform her family. However, Yueqian wasn't planning to contact her family at this time.

    Would she inform her mother that she was well after just having a breakdown that required sedation within a day and a night?

    Doing so would only worry her mother more due to the unusual circumstances!

    Yueqian decided to send a letter, addressed to a significant person in the Art Institute. The familiar handwriting and alias used made it instantly recognizable to the institute members as a letter from an important person of their master, ensuring they wouldn't dare peek at its contents.

    Sending the letter with just a few brass coins as postage excited the volunteer courier greatly. She even mentioned that if the delivery was successful, a small monetary gift would be given to him as a token of appreciation, making it a strong incentive to ensure the small envelope reached its intended recipient. After all, it was merely a single sheet of paper.

    By midday, the task was completed. Yueqian still had a considerable sum of silver taels left, with 800 silver taels left at home and 700 silver taels on her person—a significant amount for a villager.

    Mu Heng, who was tasked with following her, did not ask or complain; he just carried those taels strongly on his back.

    "Let's get something to eat," Yueqian said, looking at him with gratitude.

    He didn't question her actions or try to stop her from doing what she wanted to do, proving to be the supporter she needed.

    "Um, I know a good place owned by a friend of my father. Would you like to try it, or if you have another place in mind, we can go there instead," Mu Heng suggested.

    The place he intended to take her was indeed owned by his father's friend. Above all, it was a regular spot that bought meat from him at a relatively high price, and he wanted Yueqian to know the owner for future reference.

    "In that case, I would have to trouble you, sir." The lady gracefully changed her form of address from the informal "you" to the more respectful "you" as she got to know him better and realized his worthiness of respect.

    Since he had been representing and protecting her all along, Yueqian couldn't respect anyone else more than him. Despite coming from a modern era where men and women are considered equals, and looking down on someone was not common among gentlemen, in this era where everyone believed this, he still firmly stood by her side.

    Even the owner of the body's father had never done such a thing for her...

    Mu Heng also felt the thick walls she had built around herself begin to crack. He was so pleased.

    "Then let's go," the young man extended his rough, calloused hand as if waiting for a delicate butterfly to land.

    This natural and intimate gesture made Yueqian pause slightly. She wasn't so proud as to be embarrassed by holding a man's hand. In the capital, when she played the villainess, she often rushed towards the hero as part of her character. But that was all an act, unlike the genuine affection displayed now.

    Mu Heng also paused, realizing what he was doing as his face slowly turned red with embarrassment. Seeing Yueqian's still posture, he felt increasingly shy.

    He had no intention of tricking her into any impropriety! Moreover, he wasn't a cunning man. Even though they were married, he wouldn't force her to endure any discomfort. If she didn't accept him as her husband, he was prepared to remain by her side as a friend and ally. But if she accepted him as her husband, he would rather build a large and loving family with her.

    This was merely his wish, and Mu Heng was in no rush to press her for an answer.

    His hand remained extended, unable to pull it back, nor daring to reach out further, giving him a somewhat peculiar posture at the moment.

    Yueqian, seeing his demeanor, also felt a flush of shyness. Although she didn't find holding a man's hand embarrassing, the man in front of her was her husband, and he was becoming increasingly endearing to her.

    After a brief pause, the little lady gently placed her tender hand in his. The moment her cool hand touched his, Mu Heng stiffened in surprise at her response. His heart thudded tumultuously, the unfamiliar turmoil making it difficult to maintain composure.

    "Yueqian," the tall figure couldn't help but call out his wife's name as if under a spell.

    "Yes?" Yueqian, deciding to yield to him, responded politely.

    Her sweet voice confirmed that Mu Heng now truly had a wife. His large hand tightened slightly, wanting to hold her gentle hand as much as possible.